Microwave-assisted recycling of Poly(bisphenol A carbonate)

The exponential increase of non-biodegradable plastics in the environment continues to be a well-known problem. In fact, with our increasing consumption of single-use goods and the further development of electronics with a minimal lifespan, it is not surprising to see plastic pollution remain a main global issue. Poly(bisphenol A Carbonate), PC, is the main component of the plastic used for the fabrication of cell phone casings, baby bottles, and eyeglasses’ lenses. The slow natural degradation of PC in electronics has drastically contributed to making them a concerning environmental problem. While important efforts have achieved the PC’s chemical recycling in laboratory settings, the use of “greener” conditions is still limited. Here we address various approaches to recycle PC chemically, and describe our efforts employing microwave-assisted irradiation. (Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Gustavo Salazar)